EC gives 70m euros to Somalia

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 05/27/2006 12:25 PM

JAKARTA: The European Commission (EC) has decided to provide Somalia, one of the world's poorest nations, with 70 million euros (US$85 million) for the Somalia Recovery Program (SRP).

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said in a statement, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post by the Somalian Embassy in Jakarta, that the decision demonstrated the commitment of the EU to ensuring Somalia's recovery and reconstruction.

Somalia has had no functioning central government since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991. A transitional federal government was formed in January last year following a national reconciliation conference.

The SRP will provide immediate support to address Somalia's governance and security challenges, including consolidation of the transitional federal institutions.

The transitional institutions remain the only option for peace and stability.

""I intend to foster linkages with them when visiting Somalia next month with a group of European Parliamentarians,"" Michel said.

On May 17, British International Development Secretary Hilary Benn visited Southern Somalia, the first visit by a British minister in 13 years.

Benn said that only peace and security could bring development to the drought-hit and war-torn country. -- JP

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